Modelling NOX concentrations through CFD-RANS in an urban hot-spot using high resolution traffic emissions and meteorology from a mesoscale model

• Published in: Atmospheric environment (1994) Vol. 163; pp. 155 - 165
• Main Authors: Sanchez, Beatriz, Santiago, Jose Luis, Martilli, Alberto, Martin, Fernando, Borge, Rafael, Quaassdorff, Christina, de la Paz, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2017
• Subjects: CFD Model; Mesoscale model; Passive samplers; Traffic emission model; Urban air quality; Urban air quality; Passive samplers; Mesoscale model; Traffic emission model; CFD Model
• ISSN: 1352-2310; 1873-2844
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2017.05.022

Air quality management requires more detailed studies about air pollution at urban and local scale over long periods of time. This work focuses on obtaining the spatial distribution of NOx concentration averaged over several days in a heavily trafficked urban area in Madrid (Spain) using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. A methodology based on weighted average of CFD simulations is applied computing the time evolution of NOx dispersion as a sequence of steady-state scenarios taking into account the actual atmospheric conditions. The inputs of emissions are estimated from the traffic emission model and the meteorological information used is derived from a mesoscale model. Finally, the computed concentration map correlates well with 72 passive samplers deployed in the research area. This work reveals the potential of using urban mesoscale simulations together with detailed traffic emissions so as to provide accurate maps of pollutant concentration at microscale using CFD simulations. [Display omitted] •High resolution NOx concentration map computed for an urban heavily trafficked area.•Results from a detailed traffic emission model are implemented in the CFD simulations.•Long-period average NOx estimated through weighted-average of CFD simulations.•Meteorological information used in the methodology is derived from a mesoscale model.•Modelled results are validated with data from an intensive passive sampling campaign.